Binge-Eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating)

I didn't read this until tonight. Meaning, I diagnosed my symptoms on my own and came to the conclusion that I have an eating disorder. So while I feel like I've earned bragging rights for proper diagnosis, it makes me feel a bit sad and disheartened to read this, to see that yes, I 100% fit the profile for a compulsive binge eater.

Main Features of Binge-Eating Disorder

* binge-eating: eating a large amount of food within a set period of time (e.g. within any two hour period), an amount of food that is larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances
* feeling a sense of lack of control over eating during a binge (e.g. feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
* no purging (attempts to get rid of food eaten) following a binge

Behaviors Associated with Binge-Eating

* repeated occurrences of binge eating not followed by purging
* eating unusually large amounts of food, to the point of feeling physical discomfort
* feeling a sense of being "out of control" while eating, taking other people's food, stealing, eating discarded food and/or searching desperately for food
* eating to feel temporary emotional comfort, driven to eat for pleasurable feelings
* feeling agitated, wanders/paces up and down during binges
* eating in secret or alone, embarrassed about bingeing behavior
* feeling distress, depression, shame, revulsion/disgust after overeating
* eats rapidly and may experience an "altered state of consciousness" (trance-like); people often watch TV or listen to loud music to distract them during binges
eating between and beyond meal times, snacks excessively
* intense urges or cravings to eat particular foods
* low self-esteem/self-image, over concern about shape and weight, trying to diet due to guilt

Triggers

* being alone, isolated, workaholic lifestyle, lack of structure in the day
* personal problems (e.g. breakup with a partner, death of a loved one, losing a job)
* involved with critical, non-nuturing relationships causing low self-worth and stress
* unpleasant feelings i.e. feeling anxious, frustrated, bored, tired, upset, depressed, abandoned, rage
* gaining weight, feeling fat
* dieting, breaking a diet, feeling hungry, drinking alcohol

Emotional Consequences

* feeling helpless, loss of control, lonely, guilty, regretful, confused, distressed
* low self-esteem, depression
* self-punitive thoughts/blaming oneself e.g. "I'm a failure"

Binge eating disorder often begins in adulthood as a response to overwhelming, painful experiences or feelings inside. Binge-eating is also more common in adults who are larger in size. People who are average weight, or underweight also binge-eat. Men and women are affected, African-Americans appear to be at risk as much as Caucasians and it affects people in a wide age-range, from twenty to fifty years. By overeating, a person may try to dampen, suppress and deal with feelings and emotions such as anxiety, anger, depression, emptiness, frustration, low self-esteem, fear and/or guilt. Binge-eating can start a vicious cycle as a person begins to binge-eat because they feel badly inside, followed by dieting/fasting, which often leads to another binge episode.

Sheena's Place - Binge-Eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating)